US House Passes Bill to Curb Chinese Influence in Universities

The US House of Representatives has approved the 'DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act' to limit Chinese influence in educational institutions. The act, presented by Rep. August Pfluger, aims to protect American students and ensure federal funds do not support foreign malign activities.

The US House of Representatives has approved the 'DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act' aimed at curbing Chinese influence in American universities. The bill was introduced by August Pfluger, chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence.

Pfluger emphasized, "The Chinese Communist Party uses Confucius Institutes to infiltrate American campuses, engage in espionage, steal intellectual property, intimidate Chinese dissidents, promote communist propaganda, and relay sensitive information to the People's Liberation Army. This legislation safeguards students and universities, ensuring American funds don't bolster foreign malign influence." According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the act will restrict DHS funding to institutions with ties to 'Chinese entities of concern' or 'Confucius Institutes.'

The act defines a 'Chinese Entity of Concern' as any Chinese university involved in military-civil fusion or affiliated with China's defense sector, and a 'Confucius Institute' as a cultural institute funded by the Chinese government. A DHS statement highlighted that these institutes are used by the CCP to further their agenda, steal research, recruit spies, and target dissidents.

The bill was inspired by testimony from FBI deputy assistant director Jill Murphy in May 2023, confirming that Confucius Institutes likely steal American research. House Speaker Mike Johnson supported the bill, stating it helps prevent CCP interference in American education.

John Moolenaar, chair of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, warned, "The CCP seeks to influence all aspects of American society, including education, through Confucius Institutes. These institutes project the CCP's 'soft power,' manipulating young Americans' minds. We must ensure taxpayer dollars don't support universities allowing this influence."